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Monday July 22, 2013 6:38 AM

Come Friday, I’ll be celebrating Aunts and Uncles Day.

Not until I stumbled across it while surfing the Internet recently did I even know that such a “
holiday” existed.

Who established it — and when — remains a mystery to me.

I like the idea, though.

I am an aunt — a great-aunt, even — many times over: I have 14 nieces and nephews, and 22
grandnieces and grandnephews (with the youngest, Alexander James, born on June 4).

Having no children of my own, I once feared a void in my life. Instead, I’ve become adept at
showering affection and attention on my siblings’ children (and their children).

Fortunately, most of them live in central Ohio — which means I receive ample invitations to
concerts, recitals, talent shows and sporting events. I try to attend as many of the activities as
possible.

I’ve also fostered close relationships with most of them, hosting sleepovers, shopping trips and
such since the oldest nieces — Julie and Lori — were in grade school. (Today, they’re in their
early 40s with children of their own.)

That tradition is one I still carry on with my nephew Brendan.

He is 17, yet (somehow) still thinks I’m cool. We like to shop; go out to dinner; and, most of
all, watch movies. He has even persuaded me to watch horror films — a true sign that I would do
anything for him.

The newest addition to the family is only a month old, but I’ve already received an invitation
from his mother to watch football games with him in the fall.

A void? Hardly.

I’m too busy enjoying time with “my kids.”

Becky Kover, Dispatch special sections editor, encourages other aunts and uncles to mark the
day.